U.S. Ryder Cup attitude different than before

AP PhotoKenny Perry of the U.S. signs autographs Tuesday during his practice round for the Ryder Cup.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- J.B. Holmes, Kentucky born and bred, knew what the home fans and even U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger wanted to see when he came walking to the tee at Valhalla's hole No. 13.

It was the first day of official practice for the Ryder Cup Matches this weekend, and Holmes decided to have some fun despite the tee markers being all the way back on the dramatic short par-4 hole that features an island green surrounded by rock and water.

He pulled his driver.

Never mind the front edge of the green on the hole called "The Island" was 352 yards away, and not up at 260 where the PGA of America might put it this weekend to add an element of go-for-it risk and reward.

Holmes took his seemingly too-short backswing, and then boom. He drilled it up, and up, and over the rock and water where it smashed to green earth, rolled and finally settled 15 feet from the flag.

RYDER CUP

When: Friday through Sunday

Course: Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Ky.

Format: Four matches of fourballs (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Saturday, followed by 12 singles matches Sunday

Points: Europe needs 14 points to retain the cup, the United States needs 14 points to win the cup

Series: United States leads 24-10-2

Last time: Europe won all five sessions and tied its record for margin of victory, 18 1/2-9 1/2, to win at The K Club in Ireland in 2006

"I think I had 338 to the front," he said. "That was just for fun. They wanted to see me hit driver."

Holmes, Boo Weekley and Kenny Perry, the other Kentucky born-and-bred Team USA member, and even veterans such as Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk put on a show Tuesday, which offered a sharp contrast to the last time the U.S. Ryder Cup team was the home team.

Oakland Hills four years ago remains forgettable, if not nightmarish. That U.S. team seemed withdrawn, uninterested and then played that way.

But here in Kentucky, where they love their basketball and apparently golf, too, this U.S. team seemed for at least a first day like a different deal.

They acted like they were home.

And a real team.

And that they wanted to get the fans into the act.

Good ol' J.B. had them oohing and aahing, and the roar when he knocked it on 13 could be heard in all corners of the golf course. Nary could you find a practice day roar at Oakland Hills, at least for the U.S. side.

Get this: The U.S. team signed autographs. Weekley said he signed so many that he developed a hand blister.

"I'll just pop it and put some tape on it," he said.

The U.S. team also tossed commemorative Ryder Cup pins complete with a little U.S. flag by the thousands into the crowd. They also smiled, posed for pictures and would have kissed babies if they found some.

Muhammad Ali, a Louisville native and Michigan resident, is supposed to meet with the team at some point this week. Lou Holtz, a former Notre Dame football coach and current television announcer, is going to hang out, too.

Oh, and there is a pep rally planned for downtown Thursday.

"I want to treat them like they're going to be our 13th man," U.S. captain Paul Azinger said of the golf fans.

At Oakland Hills in 2004, the fans were treated to only a rout.

Holmes, who was a senior in high school in Campbellsville, Ky., in '04, said his first Ryder Cup practice day was amazing.

"I mean, there's no way to describe it," he said. "We were playing a practice round and it felt like we were in the final group of a tournament. It was a lot of fun."

Weekley, a Florida good ol' boy, was asked if a little levity might help the U.S. team given the most recent results in the matches.

"A little, yes, sir," he said. "It ain't going to hurt. It never hurts to laugh."

Perry said he felt like Tiger Woods for the day, which suddenly made us remember the No. 1 player in the world isn't here.

"It felt like the whole state of Kentucky was out there," Perry said. "It was awesome."

Azinger said he might pair the Kentucky boys, Holmes and Perry, together.

"You know, I'd like to put them off first match out to be honest with you," he said, "and get this crowd rocking."